Some loyal Texas Democrats had a very loyal Republican to thank for their weekend of celebration.

Rep. Kevin Brady, a veteran Republican from The Woodlands, held a raffle to distribute inaugural tickets to his constituents to the inauguration. On Saturday and again today, he and his staff handed them out at his D.C. Office in the Cannon House Office Building.

Throughout the day Texas residents strolled in and out, enjoying the assortment of pastries and fresh fruit, and chatting among themselves about their excitement at being in the nation’s capital for the weekend’s festivities.

One poignant moment came when Brady, the Republican chairman of the congressional Joint Economic Committee, provided tickets so Nicki Sylvester of Houston could bring her mother, Claire Jones, to witness history on Monday.

Claire Jones isn’t any Democrat. She’s chair of the Leon County Democratic Party and has worked for Texas Democrats since 1980. The two women took a 24-hour bus journey from Houston before picking up their tickets at Brady’s Capitol Hill office.

“I am so grateful and so thrilled Kevin Brady gave me the opportunity to attend this event,” Sylvester said.

Fifteen-year-old Kobie Polk flew from Dallas to witness the inauguration as part of a weekend sponsored by the Jack and Jill Foundation of America, an African American organization that works towards shaping young leaders. Kobie is attending a mock Congress and and workshops on passing bills.

Nora Polk, Kobie’s mom, said she is “excited to see what the future holds for this nation” and hopes her son can “gain perspective” on American politics “face-to-face,” and not just from a textbook.

Dr. Margaret Patton traveled with her husband, 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter from Richmond, Texas, to attend the inauguration because, she said, “the first family has become a role model” for her family.

As a result of Obama’s presidency, she said her kids have become “history buffs.”

“We are constantly inspired by the first family,” she said. “They push us to do more service work and learn more about government and politics.”

Raven Elliot of Pearland presented her husband, Joseph Elliot, with tickets to the inauguration as a graduation gift when he received his business degree from Texas Southern University. The Elliots said they were “excited for President Obama’s second term” — and hope Obama implements a policy on student loan forgiveness.

Each congressional office receives an equal allotment of tickets to each presidential inauguration, whether a Democrat or a Republican is elected. Because Texas’ congressional districts have been gerrymandered by the Republican Legislature, Democrats who live in heavily Democratic districts have had a very difficult time finding tickets to the swearing-in.

But Democrats in strongly Republican districts, like Brady, had a better chance of scoring the free — but scarce – passes.

Jim Adams, Jane Reed and Aaron Skinner were the lucky recipients of tickets for their second Obama inauguration. Jane Reed said she has known Brady since before he was elected. The Woodlands residents are most interested in how Obamacare is executed and funded. As they well know, Brady was one of the Congress’ leading critics of the president’s 2010 health-care law.

J.D. Garnier and Tametra Garner, also residents of The Woodlands, said they are looking forward to soaking in the “atmosphere of this historical event.” As workers in the medical field, they also are eagerly awaiting the implementation of Obama’s health-care reform.

Elina Herbert and Walter Smith flew to D.C. from San Antonio to “celebrate President Obama’s second term.” For the second term, they both would like to see members of Congress “working toward bipartisanship and cooperating more with President Obama.” Elina Herbert said she is optimistic that if Congress works together that they can carry out the “wants of the American people” and will achieve “more resolution.”